Research on Job Networking Skills Puts New Spin on “Who You Know”

June 15, 2009 - PRLog -- Flowork International, L.L.C. : Research on Job Networking Skills Puts New Spin on “Who You Know”

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Apparently, job networking is not just ‘who you know’…but whom you didn’t know you knew, at least according to academics researching the subject of Social Capital theory. Theorists have identified that the best of job-hunting resources may indeed be at our fingertips. This is good news for the recently unemployed, those seeking career advancement or those of us keeping our eye on the job market, ‘just in case’. In fact, one’s very own social network typically provides the job hunter the very resource needed to regain employment or obtain advancement in his or her field. Yet job seekers often don’t know it…or, more likely, they lack the skills as to how to leverage it and find themselves once again gainfully (re) employed.

In spite the intense popularity of the social networking wonders of the internet, like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, many of us simply do not realize the vast job-rich potential our existing social network may contain …even as we arduously seek to expand our online tally of “friends”.  What’s more, many have heard from our networking ‘forefathers’ that merely ‘knowing of’ someone who could help you land that sweet position you have been vying for is not good enough, and that the weaknesses of some of our social ties are no better than if we were simply wait until our dream job gets listed on a favourite job board.  Such is life, right?  Or is it?

Apparently, researchers leading the way in developing Social Capital theory suggest that the evidence is indeed contrary to this old belief.  Dr. J.P. Hatala of Flowork International, suggests that most of us simply lack the skills and confidence necessary to approach our social networks and avail ourselves of the resources they likely offer.  If this is true, the strength of the ties in our social network may not be the key factor your old man suggested it was.  Moreover, reaching out and confidently letting those in your network know you are skilled, educated and ready to work, is much more likely to produce the results that we seek, according to Dr. Hatala.

In fact, Flowork’s research suggests that knowing what you have in your network and employing a series of strategic approaches to exploit its potential, is essential.  This allows the job seeker to improve his or her position, so long as he or she has the means of contact.  Well, hello internet, right?  Not necessarily.  The means of communication must go beyond simply cyberspace alone. Internet social networking websites like Twitter are no doubt valuable in terms of effective networking, but they are not the magic wand many of us hoped they would be.

The research also suggests getting out there and contacting those in your network directly as an essential component to an advanced, efficient, and valuable networking approach. Dr. Hatala notes that people skills remains king in efficient networking models, suggesting that “being proactive, comfortable, and asking for help and soliciting feedback” are all fundamental to a successful strategic networking approach.
Interestingly, common sense prevails in terms of the approach that Flowork uses to train businessmen and women to be more strategic practitioners of social networking. Such elements in the teaching model, include: information gathering; initiating contact; network spanning; confidence; assertiveness; flexibility; and communication preferences. Fortunately the methodology is straightforward and all very teachable, and it is also what characterizes Dr. Hatala’s model used at Flowork International.

So, does this mean that modern business networking simply all boils down to ‘who we know’, just as our generational predecessors once suggested?  Perhaps it both is…and is not that simple. Academic theory aside, the invaluable nature of learning how to strategically exploit the potential of our own social networks is a skill that contemporary job seekers can no longer afford to ignore in the face of the rapidly expanding era of international business networking. What’s more, those who focus just as much of their efforts on leveraging the potential of their existing network as they do on expanding it with Facebook or Twitter, stand a far better chance in the job-hunt/career advancement battle in the long run… as we all seek to gain a leg up in a competitive business world.

To find out more information about Flowork, its training programs, or research, feel free to email Dr. Hatala directly at jphatala@flowork.com.

# # #

Flowork is an organization that works with individuals, organizations and communities to develop their social capital and more importantly increase their ability to access social resources.